This is an online blog journal of all my kitesurfing activities. I blog and log every kitesurfing session and provide information on skills progression, gear, weather and locations. I am based in Melbourne, Australia where we are blessed with good winds and some wonderful kitesurfing. I also take kitecam photos and video. I also record many sessions with a GPS.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Session 291. Kitesurfing session after work at Port Melbourne. Very spiky wind during the day moderated later in the afternoon. Stuart, James, Tarren all travelled to Port Melbourne for a nice session close to the Spirit of Tasmania. My Lithium 9 was mostly well powered, especially further out where the wind was stronger and less gusty. I kited out a fair distance then came back on the swells. Garmin have stuffed up both the older ANT agent and the new Garmin Connect software so I can no longer upload my session logs from the 310XT GPS. I am not impressed with this level of software incompetence. Everybody seems to be sharing this problem.Passed three kayakers out for a paddle (was that you Duncan G?) and heap of sea birds feeding close to the surface. I was out for about an hour and very satisfied with the session. Closing in on #300!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Session 290. A northerly was blowing ahead of an afternoon wind change so Stuat, Tarren and I headed to Rosebud. The wind was light when we arrived in the morning so I setup my Lithium Zero and got on the water.

The kite was flying nicely, but staying upwind was again difficult. Heading out from the beach was good, but the run back in seemed to have lighter wind. Off shore the wind dropped off too. I did a couple of runs and walked back along the beach.

Tarren had a go of the Zero while I had a rest. Then the wind picked up. It was hard to shed power with the Zero. If the kite flies high it tends to pull you off your edge. I came into shore and landed it, then took out my Lithium 12 which had plently of power (and depower!).

Stuart took the Lithium 12 out for some runs too. Tarren and I had lunch at the Tasting Station Cafe.

I drove back past Mentone after a nap (tired!) and the southerly change was coming in hard. Nice bay surf there but I didn't go out again.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Session 289. Sensational kitesurfing downwinder from Beaumaris to Port Melbourne. I took my Lithium 9 as the wind was good. After a couple of runs waiting for the others to get on the water I started surfing the rollers and came in close to the reefy shore. I almost got stuck behind a rocky reef but just made it over it.

It was really nice to be on a tour again. Coming up to the Cerberus was interesting as waves were breaking on the reef off the point. I scooted next to then behind the Cerberus and continued on. The others were some distance behind. Coming past the breakwater at Hampton was quite exciting. I did a couple of runs into Hampton beach but still they were a long way behind.

There was some good surf at Green Point but I stacked once and the board hit my right calf and corked it a bit.

It was chilly in my shorty wetsuit (should have worn my steamer) so I decided to keep going. I did some slalom turns through the madding hordes kitesurfing at Brighton and continued on, getting some good speed up. The surfboard is easier to turn and handle in the larger bay rollers than the Sector 60.

I arrived at Port Melbourne very happy to have completed the downwinder. After about 15 minutes the others showed up. We jumped in the cars left and Port Melbourne and headed back to Beaumaris.

Saturday, October 04, 2014

Session 288. KITESURFING AGAIN! 141 days since my last session - an eternity. . . but the long wait is OVER!

The power of the wind and the kite, the speed over the water, the sun and the small bay waves combined for a remarkable experience. Every kitesurfing session is a winner.

I have been doing physio and yoga sessions weekly since the hook plate was removed from my shoulder 40 days ago. I started with very little movement and a lot of pain - the shoulder joint really freezes up when its not used.

I need to get close to 100% mobility and some strength back before kitesurfing to avoid the risk of another injury that could require more surgery. I have over 90% of movement back.

I rigged up, sorting out a line tangle, then strode out though the shallow water to get started, dodging some shallow sandbanks on the way out.

On the water my shoulder was fine. I was up and going without any dramas and gybing well, but I was rusty jumping so I took it easy.

The water at Rosebud was really clear, the wind was a northerly around 15 knots. I did some long runs just enjoying being there and back on the water. There were many more kiters closer to shore, but the wind was better out further.

The wind then dropped a bit so I did another long run hoping to get into better wind. When I turned to return it seemed there was a lot less wind. Its funny how you can get going well in one direction then struggle going the other way.

I headed into shore, eventually looping and re-looping the kite until I got in close and walked to sure. I landed the kite and wrapped my lines. A guy came up asking how much the gear cost and what it was like. I told him it was the best sport ever.

I walked back along the beach past all the downed kites and people enjoying the beach weather.

I stopped by at the Tasting Station cafe for a great coffee and muffin then headed home.

It was a great work out. My arms and legs were fine but my torso feels like it did a lot of work. Got to get kiting fit again now.

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This blog records my kitesurfing sessions and skills progression, along with information on gear, weather and locations. I am based in Melbourne, Australia where we are blessed with good winds and some wonderful kitesurfing locations.